Steam mops are very popular in homes these days, as they are a faster and easier method than regular squeegee mops. These are electric powered devices with refillable water tanks. You turn on the steam mop, it heats the water into steam, then you run it over your floor. Steam not only kills germs but also leaves the floor clean and shiny. Best of all, steam dries quickly, so you don’t have to worry about wet floors.
Are all steam mops really equally effective? Our team has reviewed various steam mops to find out how effective they are when it comes to cleaning. In these tests, we applied common household stains like tea, ketchup, and marmalade to 14×14-inch ceramic tiles. After the stain dried, we photographed them and then moved the steam mop back and forth over each tile a few times with the help of a special machine. After that, before and after photos were compared using advanced photography software to see how well the steam mop helped in cleaning the dirt.
You’ll be surprised to find that cleaning with a simple squeegee and hot tap water was more effective than all the steam mops we tested. However, it is also true that using a traditional shower requires a separate bucket of water and its waste water, which can be annoying for some people.
So, in this article we have included 5 best steam mops of 2024. after extensive research and testing We make this list, which is ideal for users with different needs. Whether you’re considering price, performance, or specific use, our list will help you make the right choice.
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1 – Best Overall : Shark Steam Pocket Hard Floor Mop System
When we tried the Shark Steam Pocket Hard Floor Mop System, we really liked it. It cleans with hot steam just like the old one, but it also has a spray mop nozzle! That means you get two cleaning tools in one purchase. Use a spray mop for smaller stains and steam for tougher dirt. These two things together make your cleaning job easier.
We smeared it with tomato paste and chutney and the hot steam cleaned it so that a mop cloth could easily remove the rest of the mess. The pads are also easy to remove and wash after use, leaving them as clean as new. You don’t need to get your hands dirty.
Remember, this Shark Pocket Mop is designed for cleaning floors only, such as kitchens, bathrooms and hardwood floors. If you need a steam cleaner for curtains, clothes, or furniture, you’ll need to get another mop. But, also remember that for many cleaning tasks, this simple and convenient Shark Pocket Mop is sufficient.
This Shark Pocket Mop heats up and cools down very quickly, which means you don’t have to wait long to start cleaning. With its long cord, you can often clean the room without pulling out the plug, it reduces the hassle for you.
Overall, we were very impressed with this Shark Pocket Mop. It is excellent at its job and can make your floors shine like new. If you’re looking for something simple and great to clean your hard floors, this is our first recommendation. This mop can save you labor and make cleaning your home easier.
2 – Best for pets : BISSELL 15441 PowerFresh Pet Lift-Off Steam Mop
Basil PowerFresh Palate Lift-Off is a tough cleaning mop but where it really excels is in the extras it comes with! There are about 12 brushes, cleaning tools and hoses for various tasks, such as a dirt cleaning brush, a separate tool for cleaning grout between bathroom tiles and steam cleaning tools for removing wrinkles from clothes.
It is specifically designed with pet owners in mind but is also very useful where animals are not kept. In terms of cleaning, it’s great, it cleans egg and vinegar stains on the kitchen floor very well, but it’s a little annoying on honeydew stains.
Like the PowerFresh Deluxe, it also features reusable microfiber pads. One is gentler for everyday floor cleaning and the other is for tougher areas and heavier dirt.
The PowerFresh brush comes with three brushes, two for cleaning bathroom floors and tiles and one for cleaning kitchen grease. The brushes are of different colors so you don’t confuse them.
It also comes with a scraper, grout cleaner and fabric steamer. There is also a bag to hold all the items so they don’t get lost and you can find them easily.
It’s a little heavier than the rest of our used steam mops. It weighs about 4.5 pounds when you remove the bottom part and attach the brushes etc. separately, which can be a bit tiresome.
We also found that when used in mop form it felt a little stiff to maneuver, especially if you have a large house. The water fill hole in the tank is a bit awkward, the pad has to be turned upside down to fill from the cup provided.
This isn’t as much of a problem when the bottom part is separate, but when filling the entire mop, it’s not as easy as the PowerFresh Deluxe. But the separate section is easy to empty which is good to avoid water retention and mold growth.
3 – Best Budget Steam Mop : PurSteam 10-in-1 Steam Mop
PurSteam 10-in-1 Steam Mop is a modern and cost-effective option for cleaning homes. Although it is a bit more expensive than usual, But it saves money in the long run. This is because it uses only warm water instead of conventional cleaning liquid, which is more eco-friendly and better for health.
The PurSteam 10-in-1 Steam Cleaner is a great example in this regard, as it can be used for multiple tasks, reducing your spending on cleaning supplies.
It is lightweight and highly maneuverable, which makes cleaning the house easy. You can adjust its steam intensity according to the desired cleaning, such as higher steam for killing germs and lower steam for everyday cleaning.
With the ability to heat up in about 19 seconds, it’s faster than the company claims, although some other electric grills on the market can heat up even faster. In terms of cleaning performance, it is highly effective on all types of floors, whether it is normal hardened mail or sticky substances such as garam masala or thick lick stains.
However, even the toughest stains may take a little longer to clean. It’s worth noting that some of our users have noticed that the head of the chip pops up when cleaning, but this can take some getting used to.
The most important feature of the PurSteam 10-in-1 Steam Cleaner is its versatility. It is not limited to cleaning floors but with the help of attachments you can perform many cleaning tasks inside the house. For example, you can use it to clean carpets, windows, and even clothes and furniture.
In addition to the necessary cleaning nozzles and brushes, the package also includes a window cleaning squeegee, steam jet tool, scraping tool and a handheld steamer.
During testing, we really liked that it notifies you when it’s running out of water, so you don’t waste electricity and the cleaning process can continue without interruption.
PurSteam is the best steam mob available at a reasonable price. We consider it a top-notch option due to its multiple features and cleaning power. Especially if you want to avoid chemical products while cleaning, this electric scrubber can be a good investment for you.
4 – Best Multi Surface : Bissell PowerFresh Steam Mop
The Bissell PowerFresh Steam Mop is really great! We’ve tried it on a variety of surfaces, whether it’s tiles, grout, concrete or sealed wood floors, everything shines! It’s also child’s play to use, simply remove the water tank and fill it up and select your desired setting from the three available steam intensities.
As for the wire, it is very long, a full 23 feet! It is very useful for big houses but its length is also its weakness. Be careful when using it as it can stick or stain the newly cleaned floor. So handle its wire and clean it. Another important thing, it activates as soon as it’s plugged in, so plug it into an already empty space where you can clean comfortably.
This steam mop is perfect for people who have different types of floors in their homes. Its cleaning head is slightly larger than other mop heads, allowing it to clean more areas quickly. However, if your house has a lot of furniture or has rough corners, then this big head and long wire can be a problem for you, as it becomes difficult to maneuver it in tight spaces.
Also, some users didn’t like having to bend down to plug in to turn it on, so keep it in a place where you can easily bend over and plug in. Overall, this is a powerful and easy-to-use steam mop, provided you take into account some of its weaknesses.
5 – Best Large Capacity Steam Mop : Bissell 1806 PowerFresh Deluxe Steam Mop
This Basel PowerFresh Deluxe Steam Mop is great for cleaning the house especially when the floor needs a thorough cleaning, it comes in handy. Its biggest advantage is that it has a huge water tank that does not need to be refilled frequently. It’s easy to clean, has two steam settings and even tells you when the water is hot.
But the best thing about it is that it also has fragrance dispensers that diffuse the fragrance throughout the house while cleaning, just like if you were using a liquid floor cleaner. And yes, it also has an on/off button which is not found in many steam mops. It’s a small thing but makes things easier.
This steam mop has a round head, making it easy to clean tight spaces and under furniture. This gives it an advantage over other steam mops that often come with square heads. However, it is definitely a bit heavy, making it difficult to use under low-height furniture.
But don’t worry, it also includes a broom that’s easy to put on and take off. It is also helpful in cleaning stubborn stains. We also used it on a colored stain during the cymbals and it was able to clean the floor perfectly. In fact, this chip is much more effective at cleaning stubborn stains than other steam mops, which often require multiple passes to clean a single stain. This Basil Steam Mop was able to remove maple syrup stains in just four wipes.
Rest assured, it’s great value for money. It cleaned better than other steam mops and outperformed some of the more expensive steam mops. This makes it a great and affordable option for home cleaning.
This steam mop is also perfect for those who like chemical-free cleaning as it cleans with just plain water. Plus, its microfiber pads are reusable. Which means you save money and save the environment too.
What to Consider Before Buying a Steam Mop
See, there are a couple of things to keep in mind before buying a steam mop. Like how long its cord is, how many ounces of water the water tank can hold, whether it has a warranty and how much it weighs.
Cord Length: A steam mop with a long cord is very important for cleaning large areas. Because this allows you to reach the entire floor without any hassle and there is no need to repeatedly remove and insert the plug. However, if you are cleaning small to medium sized rooms, a longer cord can confuse you also.
Weight and Ease of Use: A lightweight mop is easy to use, especially when climbing stairs or cleaning under furniture. And yes, lightweight mops usually have a smaller water tank, which means frequent refills may be needed.
Water Tank Capacity: A mop with a large tank saves you time as you don’t need to refill water frequently. It is useful for large houses. But, a larger tank can also mean the mop weighs more, which can be a little difficult when moving around the room. choose tank capacity based on your home footprint and cleaning needs.
Warranty: like any electrical appliance, a warranty gives you peace of mind as you can get it fixed in case of malfunction. Most steam mop companies offer at least a one-year warranty while some companies may offer longer warranties.
Another great feature of a steam mops is that it Use steam instead of chemicals. Which is safe not only for pets but also for small children. In addition to chemical-free cleaning, steam also helps kill germs, which is beneficial for health.
How We Tested The Steam Mops
We’ve tested a variety of steam mops in the office and at home to find out how they fare on your floors. Our team’s testing methods change frequently, but typically it goes something like below:
Cleaning power : Kitchen spills that often get on the floor, such as hot sauces, syrups, tomato paste, chocolate milk, and dirt, are all a challenge for a steam mop.
We look at which steam mop can clean stains like these from kitchen tiles and hard floors the easiest and in the shortest amount of time.
We also look at how many times it takes to wipe a stain. And they show how the steam mop’s special features and separate cleaning tools help with stain removal.
Ease of portability: Is the steam mop too heavy to carry over saddles? Will it be difficult to clean under furniture because of its shape? We also look at whether or not a corded mop poses a cleaning problem. In contrast, a cordless mop can be used anywhere in the home but may require frequent charging.
Prep Time: We don’t want you to be in the mood to clean and then find out that the steam mop is taking 10 minutes to heat up. That’s why we check how long each steam mop takes to be ready to use and whether the instructions are easy to read. Also see how easy it is to attach separate brushes or cloths to change the cleaning job. Aren’t they hard to put on and take off?
Price vs Performance: Finally, we see if a steam mop is good for its price. We look at its performance and compare its price so you can decide if it’s worth buying.